FERTILIZANTE DE LIBERAÇÃO LENTA NO CRESCIMENTO DE MUDAS DE Araucaria angustifolia E Ocotea odorifera

Substrate fertilization is a mong the most important factors for seedling production control, which should meet the nutritional demands of each species. Slow release fertilizers may contribute for better quality seedlings formation. According to that, this study aimed to evaluate slow release fertilizer doses in the development of araucaria and canela-sassafras seedlings. The study was developed in the region of Itajai Valley (SC), along the months of August 2007 and March 2008, in a seedbed installed at the Federal Agricultural School, under a totally randomized design, with four treatments: T1-0 kg; T2-3 kg; T3-6 kg e T4-9 kg of Basacote ®  per m³ of basic substrate. After 190 days from sowing, measurements had been made for total height, collar diameter, height and collar diameter ratio, fresh biomass of the above ground part, dry biomass of the above ground part, root dry biomass, total dry biomass and maximum technical efficiency doses. The seedlings of both species showed better growth at the 6 kg doses of Basacote per m 3  of standard substrate.